The Kansas City Royals made some savvy moves at the 2025 trade deadline, bolstering their roster with impactful additions like Mike Yastrzemski and Adam Frazier. These rentals kept them in the playoff hunt until late September. Meanwhile, players like Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek appear poised to play significant roles in the Royals' future success.
However, not every acquisition hit the mark. Randal Grichuk, brought in as a veteran presence, didn't quite meet expectations.
His performance fell short, and unsurprisingly, the Royals didn't pursue a reunion this offseason. Instead, Grichuk has signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees, hoping to make an impression in spring training.
Grichuk's stint in Kansas City was challenging. In 43 games, he managed a .206/.267/.299 slash line, with just two home runs and five RBIs. Those numbers, combined with a 56 wRC+ and -0.4 fWAR, made it clear why the Royals moved on, especially with emerging talents like Isaac Collins, Lane Thomas, and Jac Caglianone in the mix.
Despite these struggles, Grichuk's career isn't without highlights. In 2024, he enjoyed a standout season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, posting a career-high 139 wRC+ and a robust .291/.348/.528 slash line. Even in 2025, before joining the Royals, he maintained a respectable 96 wRC+.
The Yankees have a crowded outfield, featuring stars like Aaron Judge and promising players like Jasson Domínguez. Grichuk will need to shine in spring training to carve out a spot.
If he can tap into his previous form, there's a chance for him to extend his big-league career into 2026. Time will tell if Grichuk can seize this opportunity and make a lasting impression in New York.